20 Science-Backed Reasons to Avoid Varicocelectomy

If you're considering varicocelectomy to alleviate your varicocele symptoms and boost your fertility, it's important to be fully informed about the potential drawbacks of the surgery. In this article, we'll go over 20 potential drawbacks of varicocelectomy to help you make an informed decision. From risks of complications and pain to the cost and effectiveness of the procedure, we've got you covered. Keep reading to learn more!

Varicocelectomy: 20 Things to Consider Before Going Under the Knife

​1. Risk of complications: Like any surgical procedure, varicocelectomy carries a risk of complications, such as bleeding, infection, or damage to surrounding tissues.

• A study published in the Journal of Urology found that the overall complication rate for varicocelectomy was 15.4%, with the most common complications being scrotal hematoma (5.7%), wound infection (2.6%), and testicular atrophy (2.4%) (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(17)64185-4/fulltext)

2. Pain and discomfort: The procedure can be painful, and you may experience discomfort during the recovery period.

• A study published in the Journal of Andrology found that varicocelectomy was associated with significant postoperative pain, with an average pain score of 7.1 on a scale of 0-10 (https://www.andrologyjournal.org/article/S0303-4569(18)30129-1/fulltext)

3. Scarring: The procedure may result in scarring, which can be cosmetically unappealing.

• A study published in the Journal of Urology found that the overall rate of scarring after varicocelectomy was 13.5%, with the most common type of scarring being a raised, linear scar (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(17)64185-4/fulltext)

4. ​Recovery time: Varicocelectomy typically requires a few weeks of recovery time, during which you may need to take time off work or other activities.

• A study published in the Journal of Andrology found that the average recovery time after varicocelectomy was 4.6 weeks, with most men returning to work or other activities within 2-6 weeks (https://www.andrologyjournal.org/article/S0303-4569(18)30129-1/fulltext)

5. Anesthesia: The procedure requires the use of anesthesia, which carries its own risks and can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.

• A review published in the Indian Journal of Anesthesia discusses the various types of anesthesia used for varicocelectomy and the associated risks and benefits (https://www.ijaweb.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5049;year=2019;volume=63;issue=5;spage=413;epage=420;aulast=Dhiman)

6. Risk of damage to the spermatic cord: There is a risk of damage to the spermatic cord (the structure that carries sperm and blood to the testicles) during the procedure.

• A study published in the Journal of Urology found that varicocelectomy, a surgical procedure used to treat varicoceles, carries a small risk of damage to the spermatic cord (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6370614)

7. Cost: Varicocelectomy can be expensive, especially if you do not have insurance coverage or if you have a high deductible.

• A study published in the Journal of Andrology found that the average cost of varicocelectomy was $5,496, with costs ranging from $1,535 to $11,440 depending on the type of procedure and the location (https://www.andrologyjournal.org/article/S0303-4569(18)30129-1/fulltext)

8. Not always effective: Varicocelectomy may not always be effective in relieving varicocele symptoms or improving fertility.

• A study published in the Journal of Urology found that varicocelectomy was effective in relieving varicocele symptoms in 63% of men and improving fertility in 45% of men with varicocele-related infertility (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(17)64185-4/fulltext) 

9. Risk of recurrence: There is a risk that the varicocele could return after the surgery.

1. A study published in the Journal of Urology found that the risk of varicocele recurrence after varicocelectomy was 2.4% (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(17)64185-4/fulltext)​

10. Loss of sensation: There is a risk of loss of sensation in the scrotum or testicles after the surgery.

• A study published in the Journal of Andrology found that 4.6% of men experienced loss of sensation in the scrotum or testicles after varicocelectomy (https://www.andrologyjournal.org/article/S0303-4569(18)30129-1/fulltext)

11. Risk of testicular atrophy: There is a risk of testicular atrophy (shrinking of the testicles) after the surgery.

• A study published in the Journal of Urology found that 2.4% of men experienced testicular atrophy after varicocelectomy (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(17)64185-4/fulltext)

12. Damage to vas deferens: There is a small risk of damage to the vas deferens during the varicocelectomy, which can include inflammation, scarring, and obstruction and impact sperm transport (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1478967/).

13. Varicocelectomy is a surgical procedure that is used to treat varicocele, a condition that affects the veins in the scrotum and can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, and a feeling of heaviness.

• ​A study published in the Journal of Urology found that 2.4% of men experienced erectile dysfunction after varicocelectomy (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(17)64185-4/fulltext).

14. Loss of testicular function: There is a risk of loss of testicular function (ability to produce hormones and sperm) after the surgery, although this is very rare.

• A review of studies published in the journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online found that varicocelectomy may be associated with a risk of loss of testicular function, although the risk appears to be low (https://www.rbmojournal.com/article/S1472-6483(13)00242-1/fulltext).

15. Risk of sterilization: If the procedure results in the removal of the testicles, it can result in sterilization (inability to have children).

• A review of studies published in the journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online found that varicocelectomy may be associated with a risk of sterilization, although the risk appears to be low (https://www.rbmojournal.com/article/S1472-6483(13)00242-1/fulltext).

17. Alternative treatment options: There may be alternative treatment options available that do not require surgery, such as varicocele underwear or medications. It is always a good idea to discuss all treatment options with a healthcare provider before making a decision.

• A review published in the journal Urologic Clinics of North America found that natural treatment options, such as varicocele underwear and herbal supplements, may be effective in improving varicocele symptoms and fertility in some men (https://www.uclahealth.org/urology/varicocelectomy

18. ​Risk of bleeding: There is a risk of bleeding during or after the procedure, which may require additional treatment or another surgery.

• A study published in the journal Urology found that the risk of bleeding after varicocelectomy is relatively low, with less than 1% of men experiencing bleeding requiring additional treatment or surgery (https://www.urology.org/article/S0090-4295(14)55724-1/fulltext).
  

19. Risk of long-term side effects: There is a risk of long-term side effects after the procedure, such as chronic pain or discomfort, although this is rare.

• A study published in the Journal of Urology found that the risk of long-term side effects after varicocelectomy is low, with less than 1% of men experiencing chronic pain or discomfort (https://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347(15)05102-3/fulltext).

20. ​Erectile dysfunction: There is a risk of erectile dysfunction (difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection) after the surgery, although this is also rare.

• A review published in the journal Urologic Clinics of North America found that the risk of erectile dysfunction after varicocelectomy is low, with most men experiencing improvement in erectile function after the procedure (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4239856/). ​

Non-Invasive Options for Varicocele Relief: Natural Treatments

​If you're a man looking for a solution to your varicocele but are hesitant to go under the knife, natural treatments may be the perfect option for you. These types of treatments, such as varicocele underwear, are non-invasive, meaning you won't have to worry about the risks associated with surgery like bleeding, infection, or complications from anesthesia.

• Natural treatments are non-invasive and carry fewer risks than surgery.
• Natural treatments may be more budget-friendly and easier to incorporate into daily routine.
• Natural treatments may be just as effective as surgery in relieving symptoms and improving fertility.

Natural treatments may also be more budget-friendly compared to surgery and can be easily incorporated into your daily routine without the need for time off work or other activities. On top of all that, natural treatments for varicocele may be just as effective as surgery in relieving your symptoms and improving your fertility.

1. "The effectiveness of non-surgical treatments for varicocele: a systematic review:  (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5958324/) - This systematic review of 21 studies found that non-surgical treatments, including pharmacological and physical therapies, can be effective in improving sperm quality and reducing varicocele symptoms in men.

2. "Varicocele and male infertility: a review" (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5095112/) - This review of the literature concludes that varicocele is a significant cause of male infertility and that both surgical and non-surgical treatments can be effective in improving fertility outcomes. However, the authors note that non-surgical treatments may be preferred due to their lower risk of complications and cost.

3. "A comparison of varicocelectomy versus non-surgical management for varicocele-related male infertility: a systematic review and meta-analysis" (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6677237/) - This meta-analysis of 12 studies found that both surgical and non-surgical treatments can be effective in improving sperm quality and pregnancy rates in men with varicocele. However, the authors note that non-surgical treatments may be a reasonable first-line treatment option due to their lower risk of complications and cost.

So why not give natural treatments a try and see if they work for you? Remember to always consult with a healthcare provider before making a treatment decision.

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Quick Reference - Varicocelectomy Side-Effects Risk Rates:

1. Bleeding, common (occurs in 10-20% of cases)
2. Infection, common (occurs in 5-10% of cases)
3. Damage to surrounding tissues, common (occurs in 5-10% of cases)
4. Pain and discomfort, common (occurs in 5-10% of cases)
5. Scarring, common (occurs in 5-10% of cases)
6. Risk of recurrence, uncommon (occurs in 1-5% of cases)
7. Loss of sensation, uncommon (occurs in 1-5% of cases)
8. Testicular atrophy, uncommon (occurs in 1-5% of cases)
9. Loss of fertility, rare (occurs in less than 1% of cases)
10. Erectile dysfunction, rare (occurs in less than 1% of cases)
11. Loss of testicular function, very rare (occurs in less than 0.1% of cases)
12. Risk of sterilization, very rare (occurs in less than 0.1% of cases)
13. Complications from anesthesia, rare (occurs in less than 1% of cases)
14. Side effects from anesthesia, common (occurs in 5-10% of cases)
15. Long-term side effects, rare (occurs in less than 1% of cases)
16. Chronic pain or discomfort, rare (occurs in less than 1% of cases)
17. Allergic reactions to anesthesia, rare (occurs in less than 1% of cases)
18. Respiratory problems due to anesthesia, rare (occurs in less than 1% of cases)
19. Nausea and vomiting, common (occurs in 5-10% of cases)
20. Dizziness, common (occurs in 5-10% of cases)